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One Book One Community 2023: The Blues: About the Author

2023 Community-Wide Reading Program celebrating "The Blues: The Authentic Narrative of My Music & Culture" by Chris Thomas King

The Author: Chris Thomas King

About the Author

Chris Thomas King, born into the blues in 1962, was discovered in Louisiana in 1979 by a folklorist from the Smithsonian Institute and introduced to the world by folk label Arhoolie Records as an authentic folk-blues successor to Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter, Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, and Jelly Roll Morton. King played the itinerant bluesman Tommy Johnson in the movie O Brother Where Art Thou, and he has earned numerous awards, including an Album of the Year Grammy and an Album of the Year Country Music (CMA) Award. King has inspired a new generation of musicians such as Hozier, Mumford & Sons, and Gary Clark Jr., and his songs "Hard Time Killing Floor Blues" and "John Law Burned Down the Liquor Sto'," among others, have been covered by many artists including blues legend Buddy Guy. He is the son of the late Baton Rouge blues musician Tabby Thomas.

Visit His Website: https://www.christhomasking.com/

TED

Chris Thomas King on WRKG

Chris Thomas King stopped by WRKF 89.3 to talk about his life, career and newest book, "The Blues". 

Listen to the whole interview here!